Word Origin & History

wrangle late 14c., from Low Ger. wrangeln "to dispute, to wrestle," related to M.L.G. wringen, from P.Gmc. *wrang-, from PIE *wrengh-, nasalized variant of *wergh- "to turn" (see wring). The noun is recorded from 1540s. Wrangler "person in charge of horses or cattle, herder" is first recorded 1888; as a proprietary name for a brand of jeans, copyrighted 1947, claiming use from 1929.

Example Sentences for wrangle

Somehow Mr. Wrangle's acceptance of the bid did not inspire me, although it promised so much.

It is but a gardener's wrangle—how best to guard roses from slugs.

Do you think I will wrangle over her body about the amount of money spent on her illness?

But we can only conjecture dimly, and leave the controversialists to wrangle.

He is no base grater of his tithes, and will not wrangle for the odd egg.

"Let us get to business," cried the priest, anxious to terminate the wrangle.

There were moody faces and discourteous greetings, half-insolent nods, and more than one wrangle at the workmen's meeting.

He is no base grater of his tythes, and will not wrangle for the odd egg.

And the twain began to wrangle so that Joseph thought they would never end, so prolix was Philip in his explanations.

The outcome of the wrangle was that the question was decided in the affirmative.